Unit for detecting wear and temperature of a braking member of vehicle

Abstract

A braking member of a vehicle is joined to a unit for detecting wear and temperature of the braking member; the unit comprising a sensing assembly, an electrical connector adapted to enable connection of the unit to an electrical circuit of the vehicle, and an electrical wiring for connection of the sensing assembly to the electrical connector; the sensing assembly comprising an attachment body having an axis and configured to be stably connected to the braking member; the attachment body housing wear detection means and temperature sensor means arranged along the axis and embedded in the attachment body, while the electrical connector houses an electronic unit for receiving and processing signals and for sending an output signal through the electrical connector.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A unit for detecting wear and temperature of a braking member of a vehicle, the unit comprising:
 a sensing assembly; 
 an electrical connector adapted to enable connection of the unit to an electrical circuit of said vehicle; and 
 an electrical wiring for connection of said sensing assembly to said electrical connector; 
 wherein the sensing assembly includes:
 an attachment body having an axis and configured to be stably connected to the braking member; 
 detection means for detecting wear of the braking member; 
 sensor means for detecting a temperature of the braking member; said detection means and said sensor means being arranged along said axis and housed in said attachment body, said attachment body housing a row of electrical detection circuits arranged cascaded along said axis; said row of electrical detection circuits including a plurality of first electrical detection circuits each of which includes a respective wear detector and at least one second detection circuit having a respective temperature sensor; 
 wherein said first electrical detection circuits and the at least one second detection circuit present respective first terminals electrically connected together and to a first electrical pole, and respective second terminals connected to respective second electrical poles electrically separate from each other. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic unit configured to receive signals from said wear detection means and from said temperature sensor means, to process said signals, and to send an output signal through said electrical connector; said electronic unit being housed in said electrical connector and being electrically connected to said electrical wiring. 
     
     
       3. The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said row of electrical detection circuits includes a plurality of said second detection circuits each of which has a respective temperature sensor. 
     
     
       4. The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of first detection circuits includes a respective wear detector and a respective temperature sensor arranged in series with respect to one another between the respective said first and second electrical poles. 
     
     
       5. The unit according to  claim 4 , wherein said temperature sensors include respective resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) that are the same as one another. 
     
     
       6. The unit according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the RTDs comprises a PT100 probe. 
     
     
       7. The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second detection circuits alternate with one another along said axis. 
     
     
       8. The unit according to  claim 7 , wherein at least part of said second detection circuits includes a corresponding wear detector and a corresponding temperature sensor arranged in series with respect to one another between the respective said first and second electrical poles. 
     
     
       9. The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second poles are arranged within said electrical connector. 
     
     
       10. The unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible tape for supporting said wear detection means, said temperature sensor means, and said electrical wiring; said flexible tape having a terminal section housed in said attachment body and an opposite terminal section arranged within said electrical connector. 
     
     
       11. The unit according to  claim 10 , wherein said flexible tape includes a polyimide film. 
     
     
       12. The unit according to  claim 10 , wherein said flexible tape has a terminal section embedded in said attachment body; said attachment body consisting of a single piece. 
     
     
       13. The unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said attachment body is made of insulating resin that is resistant to a working temperatures of the brake.